PMDA » Panasonic

Digital cameras hold their own against smartphones

Jackie Augustine — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:20:03 +0000

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II SLR with 24-105mm lens attached.

By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

Even in this smartphone era, when many consumers find the photos on their cellphones are good enough, camera sales remain strong.

“Tablets and smartphones have captured the consumer zeitgeist,” says Chris Chute, an analyst for research firm IDC. “But cameras are still selling.”

And in the midst of Hanukkah and with just days to go before Christmas, there are better deals now than even on Black Friday. Depending on the format you prefer, camera options abound:

Point-and-shoots

Many of the latest models sell for $300 and $400, though there’s no reason to pay that much for a good point-and-shoot. Many full-featured, but slightly older, models are available for under $200.

The Olympus Pen E-PL1.

Amazon has Panasonic’s DMC-ZS9, with a 14-megapixel sensor and a wide-ranging 16x zoom, for $129.99. Best Buy will sell you the 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot 100, with a larger-than-usual 4x zoom, for $109.99….

Digital Camera Consumers are Willing to Pay More for Nikon

Jackie Augustine — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:06:53 +0000

Real-time Consumer Market Research Reveals Shoppers’ Brand and Price Preferences

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Market Insight Corporation today reported that U.S. consumers are placing greater importance on “brand” for digital camera purchase decisions. Further, the maximum price that consumers are willing to pay for a digital camera is increasingly influenced by brand.

Based on preferences collected from more than 26,000 digital camera shoppers visiting MyProductAdvisor.com from May through October 2011, those who prefer the Nikon brand are willing to pay the most, with Canon ranking second. Olympus, Panasonic, and Fujifilm are among those brands attracting shoppers with more moderate willingness to pay. The results may verify expectations that Nikon’s overall brand/price power is positively impacted by the presence of its “high end” line of cameras.

The maximum price that consumers are willing to pay across a broad line of digital cameras reached a “recent years low” during the 2^nd half of 2010, and has been trending up during 2011. A noteworthy trend is the shift towards cameras priced over $600. Between May and October, the percentage of shoppers in this price group increased by 12%. But not all brands enjoy consumers’ enhanced willingness to pay. For example, consumers who prefer Samsung are drawn to stylish design, internet based social media, point and shoot, and video recording capability. But those preferences have not yet translated to a significant increase in shoppers’ willingness to pay. This may confirm expectations that smartphone cameras compete for these attributes.

About Market Insight Corp. (MyProductAdvisor.com)

MyProductAdvisor.com is a consumer facing website that provides a real-time portal into the minds of consumers. This service continuously gathers shopper preferences for specific product attributes. MyProductAdvisor.com delivers unbiased buying recommendations to shoppers, and the preferences it collects fuel a powerful, on-demand consumer research intelligence system. Enterprise companies utilize the intelligence as a product planning decision engine. Market Insight Corp., the company behind MyProductAdvisor.com, was established in 2003, and is based in Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Panasonic, Samsung, Sony to collaborate on 3D glasses

Jackie Augustine — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:13:16 +0000

By Paul Worhington – PMA Newsline

Three of the leading TV manufacturers will cooperate with a primary develloper of active shutter 3D on new glasses that will be compatable with each company’s displays.

Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony will collaborate with X6D Limited on a new technology standard for consumer 3D active glasses.

The “Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative” will develop and license RF system protocols between consumer 3D active glasses and 3D displays such as televisions, personal computers, projectors and 3D theaters. The standardization will also include multiple types of infrared system protocols between 3D active glasses and 3D displays, and support Bluetooth wireless technology.

Universal glasses with the new protocols will be made available in 2012, and should be backward compatible with 2011 active 3DTVs.

Tiny Camera Performs Like a Pro

Jackie Augustine — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:44:12 +0000

By David Pogue – August 3, 2011 – NY Times

After 20 years, the digital camera makers are finally giving the world what it really wants: spectacular, professional-looking photos — from a tiny camera. There’s only one problem with this new category: nobody knows what to call it.

They’re something like S.L.R.’s (single-lens reflex) cameras, because they have huge sensors and interchangeable lenses. But they’re much smaller, like compact cameras.

Shall we call them I.L.C.’s (interchangeable-lens compacts)? MILC’s (mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras)? C.S.C.’s (compact system camera)? E.V.F. cameras (electronic viewfinder, because there’s no glass eyepiece to peer through)? EVIL cameras (electronic viewfinder with interchangeable lens)?

Anyway, two new ones, from Sony and Olympus, set new records for speed and photo quality.

The big news about Olympus’s new flagship I.L.C., the PEN EP-3 ($900 with 3X zoom lens) is its speed, especially in focusing. In fact, Olympus’s testing shows that it focuses faster than real S.L.R.’s like the Canon Rebel and the Nikon D3100.

Now, if you’re a photography insider, you probably just splurted your soda. Because you know a major difference between these micro-S.L.R. cameras and real ones: micro-S.L.R.’s use the same slow focusing system as pocket cameras (the ones that miss so many split-second opportunities). So saying that the EP-3 focuses faster than professional cameras would be like saying that Ford’s newest pickup truck gets better mileage than the Toyota Prius.

You can turn this camera on, focus and snap in under a second. The blackout time between photos has been cut in half. And when capturing its gorgeous hi-def 1080p video, the camera refocuses smoothly, quickly and silently as you….

Panasonic Unveils the Lumix GF3, the Company’s Smallest and Lightest Digital Interchangeable Lens System Camera with a Built-In Flash*

Jackie Augustine — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:30:38 +0000

The LUMIX GF3 Body Weighs Just 7.83oz and Produces High-Quality Photos, Full-HD Video Recording Capabilities and Smart Touch-Screen Controls

SECAUCUS, NJ (June 13, 2011) – Panasonic today announces its latest compact system camera (CSC), the mirror-free Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3 is the company’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera with a built-in flash*1, with its body size comparable to that of a smartphone and weighing just 7.83oz (body only), less than a standard 8oz cup of coffee. The Panasonic’s LUMIX GF3 realizes all the features desired from a traditional DSLR interchangeable lens camera, only it accomplishes them in an ultra-compact body that is lightweight and simple to master.

This remarkable reduction in size and weight is thanks to advancements in new mirror-free camera technology, and large DSLR format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lenses. This new class of Compact System Cameras offers a weight and compactness not seen in traditional DSLRs, yielding greater portability and creative control. The DMC-GF3’s image quality comes from a large DSLR-sized 12.1-megapixel sensor and newly advanced image processing technologies.

The LUMIX GF3 digital camera is based on the Micro Four Thirds standard of lenses, which includes Panasonic’s 3D lens, thus the LUMIX GF3 not only provides outstanding still photos, full-High Definition 1080/60i video, but is also capable of shooting 3D still photos.

The Panasonic LUMIX GF3 produces high-quality photos with true-to-life details, thanks to excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction; high-grade lens options; and extremely precise Auto Focus (AF). Plus, the LUMIX GF3 creates the right balance between resolution and noise reduction, thus producing life-like images with accurate auto exposure and white balance, creating rich colors. Taking a page from the renowned LUMIX GH2‘s image quality, the LUMIX GF3 boasts full sized DSLR like Image quality thanks the same Venus Engine FHD image processor. The Venus Engine FHD image processor makes impressive low noise images from its 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor. Notably, images shot in low-lit situations at high ISO sensitivity setting, are stunningly clear with extremely sharp resolution. The image processor also excels in energy consumption by extending the battery life, despite its smaller size.

Thanks to a new mount, the LUMIX GF3 is approximately 16.7% smaller and 16.2% lighter than its predecessor, the LUMIX GF2. Despite its small size and unlike many CSC cameras in this class, the LUMIX GF3 still maintains a built-in flash and features a new pop-up mechanism that helps prevent the vignetting effect due to short distances between the flash unit and the interchangeable lens. With a newly-designed aluminum body that incorporates an ergonomic grip, and a well-designed control dial combined with a 3-inch touch enabled screen, the LUMIX GF3 is extremely intuitive and easy to use.

“The Panasonic GF3 compact system camera is extremely small and its newly-designed rounded body is quite attractive, which we expect to be popular among those users wanting to step-up from a point-and-shoot, yet who view traditional DSLRs as bulky and overly complex,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “While the size and weight of the GF3 has been greatly reduced, Panasonic does not compromise what is at the core of every LUMIX, which is exceptional photo and video quality with an easy-to-use interface.”

All models in Panasonic’s LUMIX G Series of digital cameras feature Contrast AF for their focus system, as opposed to phase-difference AF systems, used in traditional DSLRs, which is susceptible to a mechanical margin of focus errors at wide apertures. With a Contrast AF system, focusing is controlled by the image sensor so that mechanical margin of error is reduced to achieve precise focusing, thus boosting higher number of in focus shots, especially when shooting in low light with wide open lens aperture. As a result, when the LUMIX GF3 is used with Panasonic’s new wide aperture interchangeable lens, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH, also announced today, the performance of the Contrast AF system is optimally maximized.

The Panasonic LUMIX GF3 features a high-speed and extremely precise Contrast AF system that locks in approximately 0.18 seconds. Taking further advantage of Contrast AF, the LUMIX GF3 incorporates full-area focusing which makes it possible to set focus on any point in the field- of-view. The LUMIX GF3 also features Light Speed AF, an extremely fast AF which measures at approximately 0.1 seconds*2, which is achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by doubling the sensors drive speed from 60 fps to 120 fps. With the combination of touch-control shooting, focusing on close up macro or still life objects is evermore quick and accurate thanks to the newly adopted Pinpoint AF that unlike a DSLR, offers near pixel level touch control focusing.

Manual control over focus is available in the DMC-GF3 and now features a quick 4x magnification feature. By simply touching the subject, that subject is then enlarged in a small window, allowing you to keep the rest of the image in view as a framing reference. Beyond 4x, that small window fills the monitor so even more control over focus fine-tuning can be achieved. This handy feature is available from both the MF (Manual Focus) Assist and AF + MF focus modes.

At the heart of the LUMIX GF3’s simplified functionality is a large 3.0-inch touch enabled LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback and effects controls. Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions similar to those on some touch-enabled smartphones. This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user’s expertise level. Users can also release the shutter using the touch-screen. Once locked onto a subject, the LUMIX GF3 tracks the subject with the AF Tracking feature and another touch allows the user to select the size of the AF area. In addition, Pinpoint AF function allows even more precise focus setting by further enlarging the focusing area. With increased customization, users can set the touch shutter and touch AF ON/OFF based on their preference. Touch-control also makes playback of photos and videos easy to flip through like pages in a book.

For those who miss the tactile feel of a traditional DSLR mode dial, the DMC-GF3 offers an innovative mode thumb wheel that quickly cycles though all available modes with visual feedback provided on the large 3’’ touch-enabled LCD.

The LUMIX GF3 records 1920 x 1080 full-HD video in the AVCHD format, which features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG. A dedicated video record button on the top lets users instantly start recording video, without having to hassle with any menu settings. The LUMIX GF3 allows for Touch AF in video recording, enabling professional-like features, such as rack focusing. For instance, by touching the subject on the screen, the focus is shifted to the subject.

Contributing to its ease-of-use, the LUMIX GF3 features Panasonic’s acclaimed iA*3 (Intelligent Auto) mode – and the new advanced iA Plus mode – are automatically engaged once the iA button is pressed, helping to make shooting video and photos with the LUMIX GF3 extremely simple – even to users new to compact system cameras. Panasonic’s iA features include MEGA O.I.S. (included in several lenses), Intelligent ISO Control, and Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent D-range Control and Intelligent Resolution. With the new iA Plus mode, the LUMIX GF3 easily enables commonly desired manual enhancements not available from standard camera auto modes such as peripheries defocusing around faces, exposure compensation, and color balance adjustments which are visually adjusted by moving an on screen slider with the user’s finger or the thumb wheel,.

The LUMIX GF3, like all CSCs in the Panasonic LUMIX G Series, is equipped with a highly-efficient Dust Reduction System. In some system cameras, if dust or other foreign matter gets inside the digital camera while the lenses are being changed, it’s possible that the debris could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. However, the Panasonic Dust Reduction System helps to eliminate this problem by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor that vibrates vertically approximately 50,000 times per second – thus repelling dust and other particles from the LUMIX GF3’s sensor.

Two modes – Photo Style and Creative Control – let users at any skill level get creative with their photos. With Creative Control, the user can choose the most-frequently-used color modes (Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic and newly added Miniature Effect*4 mode) with easy access. In Miniature Effect mode, the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized so the photos look like a diorama. The Photo Style mode revitalizes the conventional film mode with settings in Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait presets while enabling finer adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction.

The LUMIX GF3, like all the CSC in the LUMIX G Series of digital cameras, is compatible with other Micro Four Thirds lenses and the full sized Four Thirds System standard via an optional mount adaptor. Other accessories available to the LUMIX G Series include external flashes, PL and ND filters, leather cases, straps, and more. The Panasonic LUMIX GF3 will be available in black, white, red and brown bodies for a suggested retail prices of $699.99 with the 14mm lens kit system starting in July 2011, and $599.99 with the 14-42mm lens kit system starting in late August 2011; and. For more information on Panasonic LUMIX G Series compact system cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*1 For an interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash as of June 13, 2011

*2 Approximately 0.1 sec with LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S., approx. 0.18 sec with LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH. and with LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S..

*3 Some functions in iA mode may be unavailable depending on the lens that is mounted

*4 Sound will not be recorded with [MINIATURE EFFECT] in Creative Control Mode and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long).

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

* Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds Logo marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Imaging Corporation, in Japan, the United States, the European Union and other countries.

* The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

* All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.

* This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Panasonic Launches New Leica Summilux DG / 25mm F1.4 Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens

Jackie Augustine — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:29:54 +0000

SECAUCUS, NJ (June 13, 2011) – Panasonic today announced a new interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH. (H-X025), compatible with the company’s LUMIX G Series of compact system cameras (CSC), including the LUMIX GF3, which was also announced today. The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH. lens features outstanding brightness of F1.4, and despite the high-performance, it also remains incredibly compact and lightweight. The lens’ brightness allows for a beautiful soft focus when shooting both photos and videos – without having to rely on a flash.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH. lens adopts Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology on the surface of the lens, which helps dramatically minimize reflection at the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm). The technology encompasses an extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure and results in the super-clear photo with dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.

The new lens system comprises of nine elements in seven groups using two aspherical lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive) index lens. The newly developed UHR index lens and glass mold aspherical lenses achieve uniformed description from the center to the edges.

The lens’ versatile 25mm focal distance (Equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera) is suitable for wide variety of occasions, giving users the flexibility in composition, perspective and aperture control. The lens is capable to take daily snapshots including scenic sunsets to dimly-lit indoor shots to the deliberately-creative shots using soft focus.

When mounted on the Panasonic LUMIX G Series digital cameras, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH. lens can take maximum advantage of Contrast AF system, which boasts both high accuracy and high speed for optimal photos. Furthermore, seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. The lens also features a metal mount, making it extremely durable – even when repeatedly changed.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH. lens will be available in August 2011 and pricing will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. For more information about Panasonic LUMIX G Series digital cameras and Micro Four Third lenses, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom

Golfer-Proof Cameras

Jackie Augustine — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:00:09 +0000

By David Owen - Golf Digest – Cameras Courtesy of Companies – July 2011

When I told a golf-hating friend that I was field-testing cameras, he said, “Not every camera is up to the demands of today’s no-nonsense golf environment!” He meant that as a withering remark, but he was right. I own a semi-decent full-size camera that takes swell pictures, but retrieving it from my golf bag is a chore, and I’m always worried that I’m going to get it wet or smack it into something. I’ve also got a couple of cool camera apps on my smart phone. They let me annoy friends in real time, with pictures of me beamed directly from the 10th tee at Royal County Down. But cell phones have a troubled relationship with golf committees, and they’re not designed for rainsuit weather. Also, in my experience, buddies-trip pictures taken on phone cameras are more likely to end up in the photo-album reject pile. So I decided to treat myself to something up to the demands of today’s no-nonsense golf environment.

Shopping for a camera can be overwhelming. To make my search manageable, I looked only at small cameras designed to withstand water, frost, bunker sand, August heat, bag-room attendants and cart collisions. I narrowed my selection to three — any of which I’d be unashamed to recommend.

The Canon PowerShot D10 ($300) is the bulkiest of the cameras I tried. It’s also oddly anatomical in shape, so that carrying it in a shirt pocket can make a male golfer look like a candidate for a manssiere. But it’s waterproof to the depth of the pond on the fourth hole, and you can drop it from a grillroom bar.
Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-07/david-owen-tech#ixzz1PBnRDwLd

Cameras that Automatically Improve How You Look

Jackie Augustine — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:00:42 +0000

By Suzanne Kantra – Techlicious.com

Digital cameras are all about instant gratification. You can view your shots right away and even upload them directly to Facebook, Twitter or Picasa. In fact, I usually spend more time viewing and editing photos while they’re still in the camera than later on my computer.

Knowing this, camera manufacturers have added beauty-enhancing picture-taking modes and editing features to their cameras to improve how you look, without the need for editing software on your computer.

“Soft Skin” modes improve skin texture and minimize wrinkles by using the camera’s face-recognition technology to identify faces and soften the focus for any skin-tone areas. Some cameras even have a ”Make-up Mode”, with palettes for foundation, lip color, blush and eye shadow….

Win a Panasonic LUMIX ZS10 Digital Camera

Jackie Augustine — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:59:33 +0000

From TakeGreatPictures.com

Enter for your chance to win a Panasonic LUMIX ZS10 Digital Camera!

The LUMIX ZS10 is versatile with its 24mm ultra-wide-angle and powerful 16x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens – and it features full-High Definition 1920×1080 video recording capability, a newly-adopted large 3.0-inch, 460,000-dot Smart Touch Intelligent LCD – which allows for Touch Zoom, Touch Auto Focus (AF), Touch Shutter, and Touch Playback. The LUMIX ZS10 also features a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) function allowing geotagged images to be pinpointed via online maps and easily shared with friends and families….

Panasonic Announces New Dual Cameras with an Easy-to-Hold Vertical Design, Optimal for Shooting High-Quality Still and Video Images

Jackie Augustine — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:00:54 +0000

New HX-WA10 is waterproof*¹ with full-High Definition video capabilities and features a seamless transition to shoot high-resolution still photos

SECAUCUS, NJ (April 5, 2011) – Panasonic announced today three new Dual Cameras, the HX-WA10, the HX-DC10 and the HX-DC1, all which have an easy-to-hold vertical design, making it easy and seamless to shoot full-High Definition videos (1920 x 1080) or photos – without having to switch between the two settings as there are separate video/photo capture buttons. The HX-WA10 is waterproof down to approximately 10 feet*¹making it extremely versatile, and the HX-WA10 and HX-DC10 models include Panasonic’s Backside Illumination (BSI) technology, which allows for optimal shooting in dimly-lit conditions.

Panasonic’s three new Dual Camera models record video in the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for uploading images to the Internet or editing on a computer. Beyond the full-HD video capabilities, the HX-WA10 and HX-DC10 also offer 16-megapixel still photos, while the HX-DC1 takes 14-megapixel photos – resulting in high-quality images. All three models can take 2-megapixel still photos while shooting full-HD videos. Despite being compact in size, all three models have a powerful 5x optical zoom, giving the user more range when shooting video and photos.

“Panasonic understands that consumers want a camera that will easily take still and video images, but they don’t want to sacrifice quality or portability, so with the new line of Dual Cameras, we’re providing easy-to-use models that can shoot full-HD video and high-resolution photos,” said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Even more, the HX-WA10 is waterproof, and with its unique vertical design, the Dual Camera is easy to carry and hold – making it extremely versatile for all different shooting environments.”

Other features of the three new Panasonic Dual Camera models include:

- 2.6-inch wide LCD monitor for the HX-WA10, and 3.0-inch wide LCD monitor for the HX-DC10 and HX-DC1

- Electrical Image Stabilizer to help limit blurry videos

- Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode

- Face Detection

- Stereo microphones for clear audio recording

- Mini HDMI Terminal for enjoying even more beautiful Full-HD resolution

The new models will be available in June 2011 in the following color options: HX-WA10 in black, orange, blue; HX-DC10 in black; and HX-DC1 in white, pink and dark grey. Pricing will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. For more information on Panasonic camcorders, please visit: www.panasonic.com/dvc.

*1 Waterproof: IEC60529 IPX8. Provided the care and maintenance guidelines described in this document are strictly followed, this camera can operate underwater, to a depth not exceeding 12 m for a time not exceeding 60 minutes. This does not guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.

*Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company